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Tue 22 May 1928 - The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW : 1888 - 1950)
Page 5 - BLAXCELL STREET SCHOOL
BLAXCELL STREET SCHOOL
New Wing Opened
The official opening of the new wing
of the Blaxcell-street Public School,
South Granville, was performed on
Saturday afternoon last, by the district
inspector of schools, Mr. J, T. William.
Before the commencement of the cere-
mony a procession of school children,
headed by the Granville Pipe Band, under
Bandmaster Ross, marched from Colqu
houn Park to the school. Several kid-
dies were in fancy dress, prizes being
awarded to the most original at the con-
clusion of the function.
The president of the Parents and Citi-
zens' Association, Mr. C. S. Mead, in ad-
dressing the gathering, said he was pleas-
ed to see so many faces, and it gave him
great pleasure to observe after so many
months hard work by the Parents and
Citizens' Association, that they had at-
tained their objective in the shape of
extra class rooms, for a much over-crowd-
ed school.
"If every parent present was a mem-
ber of the P. and C. their difficulties
would be overcome," said the speaker.
In introducing Mr. Ely, M.L.A., and Mr.
Wilson, he said he had received an apo-
logy from Mr. Drummond, Minister of
Education, on account of his being out
of town.
Mr. Ely, in paying tribute to the local
P. and C. Association, said he had at-
tended the opening of the Blaxcell-street
school some four years ago. He had
also done his share towards purchasing
the land.
Mr. Townsend, representative of the
Granville Council, and also president of
the William-street Public School Parents
and Citizens' Association, referred to the
activities of the association. He stated
that the William-street association was
one of the few flourishing bodies in the
State, with over 400 members, and he
hoped the day would come when Blax-
cell-street would have the same number
enrolled. Mr. Townsend promised sup-
of the council in any forthcoming
movements.
The president, Mr. Mead, before intro-
ducing the inspector, praised the secretary
of the P. and C. Association (Mr. A.
Hollingworth). He stated that Mr. Hol-
lingworth was only a boy if 17 or 18,
yet he was willing to carry responsible
duties in his spare time.
Mr. Wilson, who was then called, sup-
ported the president's statement re-
garding Mr. Hollingworth, and congratu-
lated the association on its young and
capable secretary.
"I do not intend making a long speech,"
said Mr. Wilson. "It is an honor to re-
present Mr. Drummond, who, unfortunate-
ly, is away in the country." Mr. Wilson
then dealt with the past and present sys-
tems of school education, and explained
how, when he first entered the depart-
ment, hundreds of children out back never
received any education.
"'This state of affairs has now disap-
peared," added Mr. Wilson, "since the in-
troduction of cars, aeroplanes and tele-
phonic communication, and the children
are being treated on the same lines as
city children."
In conclusion, the speaker gave some
interesting data regarding the growth of
the school, which was first established in
1924. T'he land was bought for £350. On
the first school day six pupils enrolled—
three boys and three girls—G. Gordon, C.
Hayes, F. Madill and N. Hayes, W. Hayes
and R. Gordon.
Later in 1924, it was found that the
building was too small, the number of
pupils having risen to 150. Early in
1925, two extra rooms were added at a
cost of £860, and now again the school
has outgrown itself, having 277 children
on the rolls. The average attendance per
day had been 191.6. The new additions
had cost the department £900, and the
school now consisted of Headmaster Mr.
N. Pye, and four assistants.
Later in the afternoon Mrs. Wilson
officially opened the fete organised by
the P. and C. Association, and was pre-
sented with a bouquet of flowers by little
Miss Josie Bathgate.
A vote of thanks was proposed by
pupil of the school, Miss Thelma Slog-
gart, and seconded by Miss Phillis Long,
a young Chinese girl, four years out from
China, to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson for open-
ing the new wing of the school.
The followinog prizes were awarded to
the successful fancy dress candidates in
the procession:—
Billy cart: Avro Arian, Gordon Mead,
10/-, 1: decorated, Roy Hayes, 3/-, 2.
Best original costume: Red Cross nurse,
Betty Howse, 10/-, 1: Sundowner, Baby
Miller 2: Dr. Hujah, Athol Roberts, 3.
The stall-holders were: P. and C. Asso-
iation, Mesdames Plummer, Holling-
Worth, Mead, Northey, Brady, Ellison,
Cook, Babbage, Smith, McGurk, Hopkins,
Croud, and Misses Babbage and Cook;
teachers' stall: Misses Wheeldon, Phillips
and Mrs. McAdams. Adjudicator for
awarding children's prizes, Mr. W. F.
Noble, treasurer.
$